Not content with working their way through the back catalog of discontinued analogue synths, Behringer has now unveiled the 1273, a new dual-mono mic preamp inspired by the iconic Neve 1073. Known for its distinctive 3-band EQ and extensive use in top studios since the 1970s, the Neve 1073 has become one of the most cloned pieces of recording equipment and is a highly regarded mic amp and EQ.
Behringer aims to bring this classic sound to contemporary home studios. Of course with a Behringer price tag. They have the advantage of the Midas brand who are also known for decent quality mic preamps in their high-end live consoles, so it makes a lot of sense.
The Behringer 1273 offers up to 80 dB of gain, controlled via a stepped potentiometer. The tone switch adjusts the impedance of the Midas transformer, optimizing gain for dynamic or ribbon microphones. The 3-band EQ features selectable low-shelf bands (35, 60, 110, and 220 Hz), midrange bands (360, 700, 1600, 3200, 4800, and 7200 Hz), and high-shelf bands (10, 12, and 16 kHz). Additionally, a high-pass filter offers selectable frequency bands (50, 80, 160, and 300 Hz).
The EQ section can be bypassed, allowing users to integrate other EQs or compressors into the signal chain through the insert path, enhancing tracking flexibility.
The 1273 is currently available for pre-order from Thomann and is expected to ship in the coming months.
The price is listed as £575 - which is pretty competitive.